Government applies to have Ashby claim struck out

The federal government wants the Federal Court to strike out political adviser James Ashby’s claim against it, which was brought as part of his sexual harassment suit against Speaker
Peter Slipper
.

The government has asked the court to dismiss Mr Ashby’s breach of contract claim on the basis that he has “no reasonable prospect of successfully prosecuting that part of the proceeding".

The government also wants Mr Ashby to pay its legal costs it has spent on the case, from an indemnity basis from July 18 onwards. An indemnity basis means all costs spent, rather than the usual two-thirds awarded.

In another application filed with the court, Mr Slipper has asked judge Steven Rares to drop an order he made in August that the Speaker pay Mr Ashby’s legal costs on an indemnity basis.

The order was made after Mr Slipper changed his argument on the abuse of process issue after he had closed his case.

The case started in late April when Mr Ashby made an explosive claim against Mr Slipper, his former boss, accusing him of sexual harassment and criminal misuse of cab vouchers. As a result, Mr Slipper was forced to stand aside as parliamentary speaker until the allegations are resolved.

The government and Mr Slipper, who quit the Coalition to become Speaker, have accused Mr Ashby of conspiring with political rival Mal Brough, journalist Steve Lewis and a fellow employee to damage Mr Slipper and remove Labor from power. Both applications made public yesterday are expected to be resolved when the case returns to court in early October.